IS that my blackbird? Have you ever looked out of the window to see your regular garden blackbird coming and going from the feeding table?

Do you recognise the familiar way he raises his tail as he lands?

Have you ever asked yourself if this is your blackbird – or is it somebody else’s as well? Is it even the same one?

At this time of year, these questions are especially pertinent.

Most breeding blackbirds in this country are resident here, however there are also summer migrants who return to our shores during the autumn, so the visitor to your bird table may just have arrived from eastern Europe.

We have a tendency to become affectionate towards the feathered visitors to our gardens and sometimes like to think that our generosity in feeding them will be rewarded with loyalty, just as we would with humans.

While it is true that if you feed your garden birds, they will come back, this also means that you are also likely to attract more than one. Birds will move from garden to garden where food is available, so any bird you see may be visiting your neighbours too.

What is blackbird behaviour and what leads us to feel the way we do about them? A major factor is familiarity; present all year around, the blackbird is one of the commonest British garden birds.

They are primarily a woodland bird but are very adaptable, which is why they are so widespread and are also seen in gardens and parks.

Blackbirds are not particularly gregarious and can be territorial, so may appear solitary. You will often only see a blackbird on its own but there may be many – due to their territorial nature, they do not visit at the same time.

Noted for their beautiful and distinctive song, blackbirds sing from prominent perches such as rooftops and they have a mellow, warbling voice, which is mostly heard between March and July.

In the male, the name being more fitting, the rich, glossy black feathers contrasted with the bright orange beak make them unmistakeable.

The appearance of the female blackbird is less striking but still recognisable, being similar in size with a dark brown plumage.

During the last 30 years, there has been a decline in blackbird numbers but recently the UK population has stabilised.

Although blackbirds are not in any immediate danger, providing suitable food is beneficial all year round for blackbirds and helps to create a wildlife spectacle in your very own garden.

So next time a blackbird lands on your table, take a moment to wonder who else may be in the bushes, waiting for their turn and where they might be off to next.

For more information in feeding garden birds during winter, visit our website rspb.org.uk/advice ● Sarah Boardman is the people engagement officer for the RSPB